Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I agree wholeheartedly with the Leader. Indeed, I have been guilty in the past of being obliged to leave early but I have always excused myself to the Leader. It is good practice either to do that or to be present in the Chamber to hear the response.

We will not oppose the Order of Business, but I wish to raise some pressing issues and perhaps the Leader will be able to work them into the schedule later in the week. First, there are reports from RTE today, following an internal investigation conducted by that organisation, that some 35 children have died in the care of the HSE since 2010. It is shocking in the extreme. Will the Leader make immediate contact following the Order of Business with the Department of Health and the Department of Justice and Equality? Indeed, the current Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, took a very active and vocal role on this issue when it was dealt with in the other House under the previous Administration. I am very interested to hear his views on this. It is incumbent on Members of this House to have a debate on that issue this week if at all possible. Notwithstanding the fact that there are many health issues to be discussed, and I accept the Leader's invitation to participate in the debate on 27 October in the presence of the Minister for Health, it is important to note the reports this morning that 8,000 more people are now on waiting lists. I am sure the Leader will agree that this is unacceptable.

A huge issue faces our capital city this evening. A total of 249 residents, including 96 elderly people and a number of children, two of whom are under the age of two years, are being put up in the Regency Hotel because a court has ruled that their accommodation is unsafe for habitation due to health and safety concerns about fire.